Tacoma Badge Removal

I’m new to this forum and I’m betting this has probably been covered Ad nauseam, but I just wanted to share my particular process because maybe someone will get something out of it.

Supplies needed: heatgun, braided fishing line, painters tape, goo-gone spray gel, work gloves, microfiber towels

To start off, I prepared by cutting off a long piece of 20lbs braided fishing line. I used braided line because it doesn’t stretch, wouldn’t break, and is much more abrasive as many fishermen know. It’s perfectly suited for “sawing” through the adhesive.

http://imgur.com/Sm8mm4V

I then masked off the entire area surrounding the badges to protect from any scratches, insulate the surrounding paint from the heatgun, and to prevent the goo-gone from being applied to any unnecessary areas (it also acts as a guide if you want to paint and then reinstall the badges). The goo-gone does not damage the paint in any way, but why put solvents anywhere other than where they’re needed?

http://imgur.com/ZRHXKFg

I began heating the “Tacoma” badge with the heatgun on high. I moved the heatgun around in small circular and back-and-forth motions very quickly, the heatgun should never be still at any point throughout this process. Every 10-15 seconds I would check to see how hot the badge was. I continued heating incrementally, until the badge was hot enough that I couldn’t keep my hand on it.

http://imgur.com/tduTSD9

I then put on work gloves and wrapped the fishing line around both hands, and using my thumbs, carefully guided the fishing line behind the badge. DO NOT try to pry the badge up with the fishing line, use the line to saw through the warm adhesive. Saw from front to rear, keeping some pressure towards yourself. That will keep the fishing line from rubbing on the paint, and it will rub on the badge instead. Once you’re through, you’ll be left with just the double sided adhesive on the paint.

http://imgur.com/UxR7w0i

The remaining adhesive comes off much easier with a little heat. I would work one letter at a time, heating for maybe 5-10 seconds, and then proceed to roll up the adhesive just like you would roll up a carpet. There will be some residual left behind and I actually found the best way to get it off, was to use to adhesive you just pulled off. Lightly heat up the residue and then use the adhesive you pulled off to “blot” it up.

http://imgur.com/LvEU4sH
http://imgur.com/mQxmtQl

You’ll now be left with just a faint outline of the badge. Spray some goo gone gel onto a microfiber towel and apply it to the whole area. Again heat is your friend here, lightly heat the goo gone and surrounding area, then massage the warm goo gone into any residual adhesive. Let sit for 3-5 minutes and wipe off. Repeat this process a couple more times until any evidence is gone. On the final step I used a brand new microfiber towel and buffed off the goo gone.

http://imgur.com/22IeuJ6

Once I verified that all remaining adhesive was gone, I removed the painters tape. It came out perfect for me, no scratches, no discoloring, no evidence the badges were ever there at all. I love the look of a de-badged vehicle, I think they look very clean.

http://imgur.com/GKRJbMD
http://imgur.com/uHtYDXU

 

Sorry for the crappy pictures! It was cold and late at night, I unfortunately couldn’t do anything better while using one hand to photograph.

 

Welcome to the forum!

In the future, I'd recommend using the "upload file" button, under the text box to add photos to your post. This way we dont have to click on external links to see the photos.

Thanks for your contribution.

 

Thanks, I thought the links I put in were direct image links. My photobucket account won’t work so I was trying to figure out Imgur.

 

This looks sweet! Well done, thanks for such a detailed guide. Thinking of removing the badges on mine soon. This definitely gives me some good ideas. Thanks

 

Good work! Went with the debadged look as well. Wasn’t quite as careful as you, but with a new truck they come off pretty easy.

 

No problem, glad it could help out.

 

You could do all that work or...you could just pry them off with your fingers really slow so as to get most of the emblem tape off the vehicle then wipe it down with goo gone. Either way works

 

This is the best, clearest, most simple how to post I've seen, I wasnt going to mess with mine until I read your thread, thanks!!!

Can't wait for you to do a step by step thread on the BMC, or upper control arm install hahaha!!!!

 

Very nice and detailed write up! I love the de-badged look as well, though I'm afraid this is a bit more involved and too risky (I'd be the guy to F up my paint) to make it worth it for me, but it does look great! Any chance you wanna come over and do it for me

 

I would advise against this method. ^^^

The shape and edges of the letters on the Tacoma badges could potentially scratch the paint if you pull it off at an angle while trying to do this. I’ve seen it happen.

Use a hair dryer and even monofilament fishing line. It’s easy, cheap, and less chance of messing up paint with additional heat.

 

Worked for me on all my cars. Just sayin'. Whatever way you're comfortable with is the best way, IMO.

 

x2 on braided fishing line , did mine in the summer and sheared them off like butter , not a mark

 

I’m definitely sure it worked for ya. Just don’t want someone to scratch their truck not doing it correctly or rushing it.

 

Go to any body shop or a detail shop and see if a single professional does it that way, I’ll save you the leg work... they don’t. When you pry on the badge, it is very likely that it will lean over and dig into the paint, they’re chrome plated too so it’ll definitely leave a mark. To each their own though, I just wanted to describe the proper method.

 

That’ll definitely work too, just might take a little longer. I would agree though, the blow dryer is probably more safe if you haven’t used a heat gun before

 

I agree. Whatever is most comfortable, to each their own!

I actually removed a dealership placed badge from the tailgate on mine using the finger pry method. It did not create any damage, but I did have to be very careful. I pried my finger under the "hinge" edge so that as I pulled it away it pressed into my finger as opposed to the paint. Overall, I feel inclined to give the fishing line and heat method a shot next go round - it just seems like a better route to me.

 

Nice post, thanks for sharing mate. When I removed my badges I used dental flossing to take off the badges and my fingernails to peel what remained. I then use some glue gone and I was done. It looks much better in my opinion without the two Tacoma and one V6 badges.

 

I always used upholstery thread to remove them. That stuff won't break, and it's not abrasive.

Living in FL. I've never needed a heat gun.

 

It’s pretty basic stuff. I left my truck in the sun and then used dental floss followed by goo gone.